Dan PatrickNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Dan PatrickThu, 17 Nov 2016 06:54:07 +0000Dan Patrickhttp://tpr.org
Ryan Poppe One of the first pieces of legislation filed ahead of the January session is a bill that would punish city and county law enforcement agencies for policies that direct officers not to ask questions about a person’s immigration status. They’re called sanctuary cities, the name derived from state lawmakers’ perception that these metropolitan police departments provide sanctuary to immigrants and families who may be in the country illegally. State Sen. Charles Perry, a Republican from Lubbock, says his bill will be an important part of protecting the state’s ongoing border security operation that could top $1-billion next year. “We spent $800 million on border security and it ironically just escapes me that we have jurisdictions underneath or within the state borders that say we’re not going to apply those laws," Perry explains. Those laws Perry references are actually partnerships and agreements with federal authorities that call on local police and sheriff deputies to ask forSenate Republican Takes Another Stab At Sanctuary City Legislationhttp://tpr.org/post/senate-republican-takes-another-stab-sanctuary-city-legislation
78562 as http://tpr.orgWed, 16 Nov 2016 19:55:41 +0000Senate Republican Takes Another Stab At Sanctuary City LegislationRyan PoppeLt. Gov. Dan Patrick says nearly 60,000 law enforcement officers are being outfitted with substandard equipment. Patrick is pushing for an upgrade that he says will save police officers' lives.Patrick Wants $20 Million Law Enforcement Equipment Upgradehttp://tpr.org/post/patrick-wants-20-million-law-enforcement-equipment-upgrade
76916 as http://tpr.orgWed, 12 Oct 2016 20:57:24 +0000Patrick Wants $20 Million Law Enforcement Equipment UpgradeBobby BlanchardEditor's note: This story has been updated to reflect a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen Ted Cruz did not have a comment on Dan Patrick's interview. Speaking on The Laura Ingraham Show on Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz will be left "in the rearview mirror of the Republican Party" if he doesn't endorse Donald Trump. Cruz came under fire from Republicans earlier this year when he refused to endorse Trump during a primetime speech at the Republican convention in Cleveland. Patrick had been somewhat quiet about Cruz in the weeks following the convention, when speculation mounted that Cruz's refusal to endorse Trump would earn him a primary challenger in 2018. But when Ingraham asked about Cruz and other Republicans who won't support Trump on Monday, Patrick said he was "disappointed." "You know, I stay loyal to my friends, and Ted’s a friend, but obviously I’m disappointed," Patrick said. "I’m hoping there’s still time for him to come forward or I think he and all the otherDan Patrick Warns Ted Cruz Will Be Left Behind for Not Endorsing Trumphttp://tpr.org/post/dan-patrick-warns-ted-cruz-will-be-left-behind-not-endorsing-trump
75914 as http://tpr.orgMon, 19 Sep 2016 20:38:08 +0000Dan Patrick Warns Ted Cruz Will Be Left Behind for Not Endorsing TrumpDavid Martin Davies On Friday Texas and 12 other states asked a federal judge to block the Obama administration’s order to school districts to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. The Obama administration order followed a Justice Department lawsuit against North Carolina which passed a law requiring people in the state to use only the public bathroom that matched their gender at birth. Texas Matters: Texas V. United States Over Transgender Bathroomshttp://tpr.org/post/texas-matters-texas-v-united-states-over-transgender-bathrooms
74136 as http://tpr.orgFri, 12 Aug 2016 22:44:38 +0000Texas Matters: Texas V. United States Over Transgender BathroomsRyan PoppeA civil rights group in Texas is criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for blaming protestors and the Black Lives Matter movement for the shootings in Dallas. Officials with the group call the lieutenant governor’s comments irresponsible. Patrick was asked to share his observations about the shootings on the Fox News Channel’s "Fox and Friends First" program during his interview, Patrick said that “Too many people in the general public, who have a big mouth are creating the situations like the shooting in Dallas. “All those protestors last night, they ran the other way expecting the men and women in blue to protect them, what hypocrites," Patrick told Fox News reporters. Ashton Woods with the Black Lives Matter movement in Texas calls the lieutenant governor’s comments irresponsible because he says their protest of the police shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and outside of St. Paul, Minnesota was a peaceful rally until an interloper took siege of the event. “Mr. Patrick can hold theBlack Lives Matter Officials Criticize Patrick’s Comments About Protestorshttp://tpr.org/post/black-lives-matter-officials-criticize-patrick-s-comments-about-protestors
72322 as http://tpr.orgFri, 08 Jul 2016 23:04:28 +0000Black Lives Matter Officials Criticize Patrick’s Comments About ProtestorsRyan PoppeBracing for a tough budget next session, leaders at the state capitol are preemptively instructing state agencies to reduce their request for state funding, but those requested cuts do not apply to all state agencies. With the oil and gas industry in Texas still struggling to get back on its feet, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Joe Straus have sent state agencies a directive asking that they reduce their proposed 2018-2019 budget by 4 percent way ahead of the 2017 session. This unified effort isn’t something state agencies have seen since 2010, the year prior to some of the most wide-sweeping budget cuts in the state’s history. Jason Embry, with the Speaker's Office says, “It was important to Speaker Straus and other state leaders to call on agencies to be careful with taxpayer dollars while also highlighting key priorities including public education, child protection, mental healthcare and border security.” According to the directive, certain state programsState Leaders Call For Agencies To Cut Budgets By Four Percenthttp://tpr.org/post/state-leaders-call-agencies-cut-budgets-four-percent
71994 as http://tpr.orgFri, 01 Jul 2016 21:14:49 +0000State Leaders Call For Agencies To Cut Budgets By Four PercentDavid Martin DaviesThis week Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick doubled down in his stance against transgender students in Texas school districts using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Patrick wants public schools in Texas to force children to use the bathroom that matches their birth certificate gender. “No one believes in intimidating or bullying anyone. But how about all the parents who are speaking out and say, 'You are picking on my kids.' 'My daughter wants to go to the restroom without a boy walking in.' Or vice versa. The parent who says, 'I don’t want my 15-year old daughter having a shower with a 15-year old boy.' No one should be intimidated. No one should be bullied. And this has not been a problem in our school districts. School districts are taking care of it. That’s the way it should be,” Patrick told reporters. Patrick said he was sending out a letter to all school districts in Texas advising them to ignore the guidance letter that the federal government issued in May. ThatTexas Matters: A Parent Of A Transgender Boy Speaks Outhttp://tpr.org/post/texas-matters-parent-transgender-boy-speaks-out
70605 as http://tpr.orgFri, 03 Jun 2016 20:53:09 +0000Texas Matters: A Parent Of A Transgender Boy Speaks OutRyan PoppeParents of transgender children argue they are being left out of the conversation when it comes to the state’s fight against public school district changes in bathroom ordinances. A Tuesday rally followed a request for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal opinion on whether these school districts are violating state law.Parents Of Transgender Youth Say They Are Left Out Of Bathroom Policy Talkshttp://tpr.org/post/parents-transgender-youth-say-they-are-left-out-bathroom-policy-talks
70448 as http://tpr.orgWed, 01 Jun 2016 00:45:27 +0000Parents Of Transgender Youth Say They Are Left Out Of Bathroom Policy TalksTexas Tribune HOUSTON — Seeking to show Texas Republicans are coalescing behind his presidential effort, Ted Cruz on Monday unveiled the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a onetime critic of sorts whose backing gives the U.S. senator his biggest boost yet back home. Calling it "an important morning in the Republican presidential campaign," Cruz convened Patrick and two other statewide officials at his campaign headquarters here to announce their support as well as that of a half-dozen major donors to former Gov. Rick Perry. "We're seeing conservatives unite behind this campaign," Cruz declared. "We're seeing Texans unite behind this campaign." Patrick, who will serve as the Texas chairman of Cruz's campaign, hailed the senator as the only candidate who can truly energize the GOP base in not only the primary, but also the general election. "Our party has been asleep for more than eight years come election time against the Democrats," the lieutenant governor said. Cruz, not known forStriving for GOP Unity, Cruz Unveils Patrick Endorsementhttp://tpr.org/post/striving-gop-unity-cruz-unveils-patrick-endorsement-0
59522 as http://tpr.orgMon, 26 Oct 2015 20:55:28 +0000Striving for GOP Unity, Cruz Unveils Patrick EndorsementRhonda FanningFrom Texas Standard:There was anexecution-style murderof a Houston deputy last week.Two days later, an off-duty officer in Abilene wasfound dead at his home. It was ruled a homicide.An Mp3 version of the story. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: There's a War On Cops and The Media 'Are Not in the Police Officers' Corner'http://tpr.org/post/lt-gov-dan-patrick-theres-war-cops-and-media-are-not-police-officers-corner
56806 as http://tpr.orgThu, 03 Sep 2015 22:39:49 +0000Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: There's a War On Cops and The Media 'Are Not in the Police Officers' Corner'Ryan Poppe Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed a person to lead the State Board of Education during his time in office. But he’s now being criticized for selecting someone whose own kids have never attended a public school. For the last two years Houston Republican Donna Bahorich served as a member of the State Board of Education. Before that she worked for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s previous state senate campaign, and she was one his top choices when asked who should succeed outgoing chair Barbara Cargil. “My research and my work and my desire and interests have all been in education, so when there was an opportunity for me to run for office it seems like such a natural fit for me because of my intense interest in this area and because of the relationships I had formed while serving in then-Senator Patrick’s office, Bahorich said. Bahorich’s appointment is being criticized by some education groups as well as by some of her colleagues because all three of her sons were home schooled and later attended aGov. Abbott Appoints Home-School Mom To Chair State Board Of Educationhttp://tpr.org/post/gov-abbott-appoints-home-school-mom-chair-state-board-education
53030 as http://tpr.orgFri, 19 Jun 2015 21:32:25 +0000Gov. Abbott Appoints Home-School Mom To Chair State Board Of EducationRyan Poppe The 84th Texas legislative session wrapped up this week. It was hit and miss for some Republicans promising to crack down on border security and immigration. On the campaign trail and at the start of the session, statewide elected officials like Lt. Governor Dan Patrick spoke passionately about plans to crack down on border security And border security is one of the many things Patrick listed as an accomplishment this session. “We made progress on every issue, the 19-vote rule, first time in history, biggest budget ever for border security and a number of bills in the senate that unfortunately didn’t make it out of the House, but the Senate I think checked off all the boxes,” Patrick recited. Patrick and other Tea Party Republicans also took aim at killing state programs and local policies that he says are attracting immigrants to Texas. One of those efforts was a repeal of the 2001 state law that allows immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities. ButDid Republicans Get Everything They Wanted Concerning Border Security and Immigration?http://tpr.org/post/did-republicans-get-everything-they-wanted-concerning-border-security-and-immigration
52061 as http://tpr.orgTue, 02 Jun 2015 21:21:42 +0000Did Republicans Get Everything They Wanted Concerning Border Security and Immigration?AUSTIN — The first legislative session under Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ended Monday with Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the powerful Senate leader and a Tea Party favorite, dousing rumors that he was already plotting to challenge Abbott in 2018. Patrick embodied the rightward shift in Texas politics over the past 140 days. He also took the unusual step of assembling an advisory board of big-money donors whose support would be crucial if he sought higher office. “I love this job. I love working with Gov. Abbott,” Patrick said. “We are close friends. We formed a great partnership. I will never be running against Greg Abbott for governor.” Patrick Denies 2018 Plans, Says He Will ‘Never’ Run Against Abbott http://tpr.org/post/patrick-denies-2018-plans-says-he-will-never-run-against-abbott
52008 as http://tpr.orgTue, 02 Jun 2015 09:05:01 +0000Patrick Denies 2018 Plans, Says He Will ‘Never’ Run Against Abbott Paul J. WeberAUSTIN — Divisive efforts by Texas Republicans to defy the U.S. Supreme Court if same-sex marriage is legalized ended Wednesday night with conservative finger-pointing and opponents feeling relieved. The first session under Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will end next week without a measure that gay rights activists considered one of the harshest in any U.S. statehouse: restrictions that would prohibit government officials from giving marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Senate Deadline Passes, Divisive Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Falls In Texashttp://tpr.org/post/senate-deadline-passes-divisive-anti-gay-marriage-bill-falls-texas
51805 as http://tpr.orgThu, 28 May 2015 18:15:05 +0000Senate Deadline Passes, Divisive Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Falls In TexasTPR/APAUSTIN — A broad coalition of Texas Tea Party groups has mounted a scathing criticism of the state’s GOP lawmakers, including its top two Republicans, arguing they failed to ensure that the Legislature kept key conservative promises. In an open letter Thursday, signed by 28 grassroots leaders and published on the website representing the Texas Tea Party coalition of groups, they worried that, with the June 1 end of session looming, many of their top priorities didn't have enough time left to pass. It stated: “Frankly, we don’t care how hard or how long they have to work to get the job done, either. Too many evenings, Fridays, and weekends have gone by with no committee meetings and no floor action for us to accept the tired and politically convenient excuse ‘we ran out of time.’” Tea Party Groups Slam Texas GOP, Say Conservative Promises Not Kepthttp://tpr.org/post/tea-party-groups-slam-texas-gop-say-conservative-promises-not-kept
51468 as http://tpr.orgThu, 21 May 2015 22:58:55 +0000Tea Party Groups Slam Texas GOP, Say Conservative Promises Not KeptRyan PoppeA standoff between the Texas House and Senate could be nearing the end, as both sides seemed to agree to some leeway on their plans to cut taxes in 2015. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that he was working with the two sides to help reach some kind of compromise. It’s been quite a bit of back and forth for the competing House and Senate plans over the past two months. Part of the Senate’s original plan called for cutting a portion of the state’s property taxes, something the House didn’t initially agree with. In the House, the Senate had taken issue with their plan to cut a portion of the state’s sales tax. And when those talks hit a stalemate, Gov. Abbott stepped in to help facilitate an agreement. Possible Monday Committee Vote Could End Senate v. House Standoff Over Tax Cutshttp://tpr.org/post/possible-monday-committee-vote-could-end-senate-v-house-standoff-over-tax-cuts
51151 as http://tpr.orgSat, 16 May 2015 00:05:02 +0000Possible Monday Committee Vote Could End Senate v. House Standoff Over Tax CutsPaul J. WeberAUSTIN — Oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens has never been shy about buttonholing elected officials, but it’s seldom been easier since Texas’ new lieutenant governor set up regular conference calls for select business leaders and donors to advise him on issues before the Legislature. In Texas, where the wall between big money and government is like the low cattle fencing that pens the state’s ranchland, new Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s new invitation-only calls have provided an especially direct connection between the state’s business elite and the Legislature’s agenda. “Why wouldn’t I want to learn from and communicate with the job creators? Why would we want to pass legislation that might impact our economy in a negative way?” said Patrick, who schedules bills for action, explaining the calls. Dan Patrick’s Ultra-Private Calls With Business Group Helping Shape Texas Laws?http://tpr.org/post/dan-patrick-s-ultra-private-calls-business-group-helping-shape-texas-laws
50814 as http://tpr.orgMon, 11 May 2015 13:35:40 +0000Dan Patrick’s Ultra-Private Calls With Business Group Helping Shape Texas Laws?Paul J. WeberAUSTIN — The national debate over religious objection laws roiled again Thursday in Texas, after Republican lawmakers abruptly pushed a new proposal on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing historic arguments over gay marriage. Even advocates for same-sex couples say the bill, aimed at allowing clergy members to refuse officiating marriages that violate their beliefs, largely duplicates protections that already exist. However, the legislation drew attention because of its timing — weeks after filing deadlines had passed in the Texas Senate and on the same day the landmark gay marriage case was heard in Washington. New Texas Religious Objection Bill Follows SCOTUS Hearing On Gay Marriagehttp://tpr.org/post/new-texas-religious-objection-bill-follows-scotus-hearing-gay-marriage
50248 as http://tpr.orgFri, 01 May 2015 11:42:45 +0000New Texas Religious Objection Bill Follows SCOTUS Hearing On Gay MarriagePaul J. WeberAUSTIN — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott met with the Honduran president last week in his first visit with a Central American leader since he took office and promised to stanch the flow of immigrants coming across the border. It was a break from friction Abbott is confronting closer to home in the Capitol. With six weeks left in a legislative session that began with Abbott giving largely non-contentious marching orders like ethics reforms and tax cuts — and leaving hot-button issues like gay rights and abortion aside — a standoff between the GOP in the House and Senate has put some of his agenda in gridlock. The Week That Was: Future Tense, What Will Abbott Do Next?http://tpr.org/post/week-was-future-tense-what-will-abbott-do-next
49953 as http://tpr.orgSun, 26 Apr 2015 12:09:07 +0000The Week That Was: Future Tense, What Will Abbott Do Next?Rhonda FanningFrom Texas Standard:In a letter presented Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’sGrassroots Advisory Boardcalled two pre-kindergartenenhancement bills in the Texas Legislature “a threat to parental rights.”The letter also called out the bills for being “godless” and “socialistic" — a take that's at striking odds with that of Gov. Greg Abbott, who made pre-K funding a priority during his campaign.Pre-K Funding Widens Rift Between Abbott and Patrickhttp://tpr.org/post/pre-k-funding-widens-rift-between-abbott-and-patrick
49756 as http://tpr.orgWed, 22 Apr 2015 20:54:13 +0000Pre-K Funding Widens Rift Between Abbott and Patrick